Community

Richard Waller ladles soup into containers for diners to take away with the recently implemented bag lunch program at The Soup Kitchen in Victoria. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Victoria soup kitchen serves up sandwiches, smiles, compassion

Service group hands out 32,724 meals in 2022, a 10% increase from 2021

Richard Waller ladles soup into containers for diners to take away with the recently implemented bag lunch program at The Soup Kitchen in Victoria. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Victoria star photographer Lucky Budd captured the C/2020 E3 (ZTF) comet on camera during a brief break in cloudy skies on Jan. 21. (Photo by Lucky Budd)

Look up: Rare comet visible to the naked eye – if the clouds part

Astronomers expect C/2020 E3 (ZTF) to be brightest at month’s end

Victoria star photographer Lucky Budd captured the C/2020 E3 (ZTF) comet on camera during a brief break in cloudy skies on Jan. 21. (Photo by Lucky Budd)
Piroska Müller is a German-born milliner who now resides in Black Creek. Photo by Ali Roddam
Piroska Müller is a German-born milliner who now resides in Black Creek. Photo by Ali Roddam
Outdoor art hangs in a unique setting where Pika Blades, left, and Chelsea Trousdell conduct some of their outdoor classes at their farm and forest school in Westholme. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Up Top elevating its profile as a farm and forest school

Westholme site coming up to the end of its first year fosters early child development

Outdoor art hangs in a unique setting where Pika Blades, left, and Chelsea Trousdell conduct some of their outdoor classes at their farm and forest school in Westholme. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Wendy Mitchell outside her workshop in her Metchosin house, wearing a vest she made out of the mushroom dye. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Wendy Mitchell outside her workshop in her Metchosin house, wearing a vest she made out of the mushroom dye. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
This Courtenay home in Crown Isle is one of the nine grand prize options in the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2023 Choices Lottery. Photos supplied

Courtenay home a grand prize option in BC Children’s Hospital 2023 Choices Lottery

Another lottery, another Courtenay home as a grand prize option. The BC…

  • Jan 24, 2023
This Courtenay home in Crown Isle is one of the nine grand prize options in the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 2023 Choices Lottery. Photos supplied
CRSAR Chocolate Lab Pickle, pictured here, has seen rescue missions all over Vancouver Island and province wide. Photo Courtesy Campbell River Search and Rescue

Beloved search and rescue dog ‘Pickle’ goes into retirement

Search and rescue dog had been to over 50 rescues over her career

  • Jan 24, 2023
CRSAR Chocolate Lab Pickle, pictured here, has seen rescue missions all over Vancouver Island and province wide. Photo Courtesy Campbell River Search and Rescue
Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Herby the black cat seeks fur-ever home on Vancouver Island

Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA staff throw party for one-year old cat who has spent 70-plus days in care

Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players and Chorus will host their annual Tea and Symphony concert on Sunday, Feb. 12. (Contributed)

Tea and Symphony a treat for the senses

Event takes place Feb. 12 at Sooke Community Hall

The Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players and Chorus will host their annual Tea and Symphony concert on Sunday, Feb. 12. (Contributed)
The house on fire was near Pemberton Park in Victoria. (Courtesy of Ray Bernoties)

No injuries in house fire near Pemberton Park

Emergency services arrived on the scene, quickly putting out the fire

The house on fire was near Pemberton Park in Victoria. (Courtesy of Ray Bernoties)
Anthony Bucci photographed a bald eagle in Blackfish Sound last fall as it swooped down on a herring ball. (Anthony Bucci Photography)

North Island photographer’s bald eagle photo Canada’s choice for international contest

Anthony Bucci lives in the North Island and has his own wildlife touring business

Anthony Bucci photographed a bald eagle in Blackfish Sound last fall as it swooped down on a herring ball. (Anthony Bucci Photography)
Celebrations for Lunar New Year feature a lion dance, which is a way to cleanse spaces of bad vibes and bring in good luck for the new year. This lion and drum are used to by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club to practice for performances. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Island leaps into year of the rabbit with celebrations in Victoria’s Chinatown

Lunar New Year celebrations will include lion dancing, music, lucky red envelopes and lots of food

Celebrations for Lunar New Year feature a lion dance, which is a way to cleanse spaces of bad vibes and bring in good luck for the new year. This lion and drum are used to by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club to practice for performances. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
The BC Emergency Services booth at the career fair on Nov. 24. The Bay Street Armoury will host a career fair on Feb. 23, (Black Press Media file photo)

‘No better way to network’: career fair comes to Victoria

Featuring over 60 companies, the job fair is free of charge

The BC Emergency Services booth at the career fair on Nov. 24. The Bay Street Armoury will host a career fair on Feb. 23, (Black Press Media file photo)
Cake was served at the retirement celebration for the BC Ferries’ vessel M.V. Powell River Queen at the Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal on Quadra Island Tuesday, Jan. 17. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

58-year-old Quadra Island ferry unable to complete last day as retirement party gets underway

Powell River Queen taken out of service due to mechanical failure while being celebrated by community

Cake was served at the retirement celebration for the BC Ferries’ vessel M.V. Powell River Queen at the Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal on Quadra Island Tuesday, Jan. 17. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Traffic back up on the corner of Garnet Road and Cedar Hill Road (Courtesy of Janet Black)

VIDEO: Saanich resident cites ‘extremely dangerous mix’ in demand for road changes

A lack of speed-slowing devices and crossings a concern as traffic near school increases

Traffic back up on the corner of Garnet Road and Cedar Hill Road (Courtesy of Janet Black)
Crime Stoppers in Nanaimo has reorganized to improve the safety of tipsters and now receives information from across the central Island and Gulf Islands. (File photo)

Police and volunteers on the mid-Island recognize National Crime Stoppers Month

Restructured chapter to receive tips from across the central Vancouver Island region

Crime Stoppers in Nanaimo has reorganized to improve the safety of tipsters and now receives information from across the central Island and Gulf Islands. (File photo)
Arnold Lim’s photo of carver Howard La Fortune took second place for best feature photo for circulation 10,000 and over. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

National awards shine spotlight on Greater Victoria journalists

Black Press Media recognized at Canadian Community Newspaper Awards

Arnold Lim’s photo of carver Howard La Fortune took second place for best feature photo for circulation 10,000 and over. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
The Greater Victoria Public Library celebrates local authors and illustrators with its 2023 Emerging Local Authors Collection. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria library’s emerging author series looks to build on 1,073 unique titles

In its 7th year, GVPL program features more than 750 book-makers since inception

The Greater Victoria Public Library celebrates local authors and illustrators with its 2023 Emerging Local Authors Collection. (Black Press Media file photo)
Left to right: Penticton Vees Bradly Nadeau, Ryan Hopkins, Aydar Suniev and Josh Nadeau will be participating in BCHL’s 60th Anniversary Prospects game at the SOEC Friday night. The weekend All Star and Alumni games continue Saturday at the outdoor rink. (Logan Lockhart Western News)

Expect large crowds, road closure near Penticton’s outdoor rink for BCHL all-star games

Martin Street partially closed Saturday while alumni, skills and all star games take place

Left to right: Penticton Vees Bradly Nadeau, Ryan Hopkins, Aydar Suniev and Josh Nadeau will be participating in BCHL’s 60th Anniversary Prospects game at the SOEC Friday night. The weekend All Star and Alumni games continue Saturday at the outdoor rink. (Logan Lockhart Western News)
Donation boxes were set up at Queen Margaret’s School for Tom Andrews, left, and Danny Dares to take shoes to San Antonio Palopo on their Rotarian aid trip. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Rotarian service in Guatemala reaches a milestone

It’s now been 10 years since the first trip to provide support in San Antonio Palopo

Donation boxes were set up at Queen Margaret’s School for Tom Andrews, left, and Danny Dares to take shoes to San Antonio Palopo on their Rotarian aid trip. (Photo by Don Bodger)